Friday, December 2, 2011

Black Powder Command Stands

Picked up some plywood discs from Jo-Ann's yesterday for .29 cents each. They measure 3 1/4" in diameter, and about 3mm thick. A magnetic sheet was also picked up so I could use figures that were already individually based on either washers or metal bottom bases in the case of the mounted figures. I wanted to keep these figures as singles for Sharp Practice games. Here are three British and two French command stands. I need to pick up a few more mounted commanders to flesh out both armies.
The magnetic sheeting was added to the tops of the discs after cutting them a little smaller in diameter. The individual figure bases were than outlined with a ball point pen. Acrylic caulking was squeezed around the outlines and allowed to harden a bit.
More acrylic caulking was then added to fill in around the outlines for the bases.
Sand was added in irregular patches and after it was dried, the stands were painted a dark brown, followed by dry-brushing of lighter earthy colors. Besides static grass, taller grass (painted brush bristles) and rocks (aquarium pebbles) were also added.
I didn't add any period specific articles as I plan to use the same stands for Hail Caesar command bases.
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20 comments:

  1. Jason MeyersDecember 2, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Those look great! Nice idea.

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  2. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)December 2, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    Very nice work! I always like those circular command stands.

    Cheers
    Christopher

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  3. DeanMDecember 2, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    Thanks, Gents! First time I'll be using command stands - previously had commanders singly based, but I think this should work well with Black Powder and Hail Caesar games. Best, Dean

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  4. AnonymousDecember 2, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    That's pretty inventive! It gives a nice diorama effect, while keeping the flexibility of individually-based figures.

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  5. RodgerDecember 3, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    Brilliant!! The idea is great and the bases look perfect.

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  6. PaulalbaDecember 3, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Cool idea Dean,
    The bases as with the rest of your troops look exceelnt!!!
    It has been very enjoyable watching yer armies come together.
    Awe ra best
    Paul

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  7. PaulalbaDecember 3, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    Pardon the rubbish spelling it has been a heavy week!

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  8. SchrumpfkopfDecember 3, 2011 at 3:37 AM

    Again a real eye-catcher. Thank you for sharing.

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  9. DeanMDecember 3, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    Thanks again for the nice comments.

    Paul - no sweat - do it myself sometimes too.

    Happy Holidays! Dean

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  10. KenDecember 3, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    Excellent looking command bases - no army is complete without them!

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  11. EdDecember 3, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Another vote for a great idea, well-executed. Thanks for sharing.

    Ed

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  12. Flags of WarDecember 3, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    great idea and thanks for sharing

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  13. AnonymousDecember 3, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Lovely work Dean.

    Cheers,

    Helen

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  14. GalpyDecember 4, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    that's a great idea and they look awesome

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  15. MiniMikeDecember 4, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    Smart idea. They look beautiful . Michael

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  16. PsychosisPCDecember 4, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Good stuff. Definitely something needed for Black Powder.

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  17. Willie AndersonDecember 4, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Those look great well done!!

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  18. Ted HenkleDecember 4, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Very creative way of making your awesome collection versitile!

    Ted

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  19. ScottswargamingDecember 5, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Very good, I like using sabots myself too.

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  20. Captain Richard's miniature Civil WarDecember 6, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Fantastic looking command stands

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